D.C. Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act

The “Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act of 2016” makes sweeping reforms to the District of Columbia’s juvenile justice system.

This legislation was passed unanimously by the D.C. Council in fall 2016 and became D.C. law #21-0238 in April 2017.

It is fitting that this legislation was coming before the Council in October 2016, which President Obama has declared National Youth Justice Awareness month. Just as President Obama said in his proclamation:

Too often in America, young people are not afforded a second chance after having made a mistake or poor decision — the kind of chance some of their peers receive under more forgiving environments… As a society, we must strive to reach these children earlier in life and modernize our juvenile and criminal justice systems to hold youth accountable for their actions without consigning them to a life on the margins… Even for those youth who were never convicted or otherwise found guilty, simply having had contact with our justice system can lead to lifelong barriers and an increased likelihood of ending up in a cycle of incarceration.

This comprehensive legislation addresses many of the concerns that President Obama speaks of. Among other changes, this bill will keep children out of the adult criminal justice system, reduce over-incarceration and ensure age-appropriate sentencing and confinement.

Scroll down to learn more about the Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act of 2016 including:

Since a hearing on this bill in June 2016, where dozens of local and national organizations from the civil rights, juvenile justice, and faith communities testified in support of the legislation, Councilmember McDuffie has engaged with the Executive, the Office of the Attorney General, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender Service, the Superior Court, community leaders, and other stakeholders from across the District to reach consensus on a balanced package of reforms. As a result of that effort, the Council received a renewed letter of support for the bill from 28 organizations and advocates, including: